THE council leader is calling on the Prime Minister to take action to help alleviate the traffic woes of Warrington motorists.

On his visit to Warrington last week David Cameron told the Warrington Guardian that the Government had to think about the consequences of building up the economy in the north west.

When questioned about the impact on the swing bridge closures which the town faces as more barges travel down the Manchester Ship Canal he said: “We have to think of all the consequences and that is why the second Mersey crossing is important and we need to look at how all the swing bridges works.”

Warrington South MP David Mowat added: “It’s unfortunate the bridges are swing bridges, that’s a historical fact and they should have built better bridges 20 years ago, hopefully we can get this new bridge to make a difference.”

But Clr Terry O’Neill called on him to back a plan to create a new link from Sankey Way to Chester Road with a high-level crossing to offer an alternative route rather than having to travel around Bridge Foot.

The council has already announced plans for a link to bypass Bridge Foot to help mitigate increased car numbers when the new tolls come on the Runcorn Bridge and Mersey Gateway.

Clr O’Neill said: "Whilst we welcome the funding for this small crossing, people who live and work in Warrington will tell you that the real solution to Warrington's traffic congestion problems is a proper second high-level crossing over the Manchester Ship Canal.

“That's why we're asking the Government to back the Labour-run Council's plans to link Chester Road into Sankey Way by going over Arpley Meadows. Only then can we divert traffic from Bridge Foot and have a real alternative of crossing the Ship Canal over the Swing Bridges."